Katherine Villyard's Blog, page 3

I love this review!

From Junia on NetGalley:

When I started reading this book, I knew it was a vampire story, but I didn’t expect to find the most original vampire story I’ve ever seen.
The story is told through three characters: Abraham, a Jewish vampire who loves animals; Ludwig, an asexual vampire friend; and Destiny, Abraham’s wife, a human, vegetarian, and veterinarian. We follow their lives in the past and present.
I loved the story and especially the pets that participate in it.🐱 🐶

You can view her post on Instagram here and get the first four chapters as a PDF here.

My Arisia Panels

Are you going to Arisia? I am!

Faiths of Fantasy and the FutureJanuary 17, 2025, 5:30pm

Harvard Square, Duration: 60 mins

How can writers incorporate contemporary or invented belief systems into fantasy or future worlds, without replicating cliches about clergy, faith, and spiritual practice?

Anne E.G. Nydam, BH Pierce, Greer Gilman, Katherine Villyard, Walter H. Hunt (moderator)

Broad Universe Rapid-Fire ReadingJanuary 18, 2025, 1:45pm

Porter Square B, Duration: 60 mins

Come discover your new favorite writer as members of Broad Universe read short excerpts from their work. Each writer has just a few minutes to show you what we���re capable of! We offer chocolate and the chance to win prizes. Broad Universe is an international organization that supports women and other non-privileged gender writers, editors, and publishers. 

Anne E.G. Nydam, Carol Gyzander, Clara Ward, Dianna Sanchez, E. C. Ambrose (moderator), Katherine Villyard, Kathryn Sullivan, LJ Cohen, Randee Dawn, Sarena Straus

I hope to see you there! Come say hi to me!

Reedsy Discovery

Do you want to read a GREAT REVIEW of Immortal Gifts AND the first chapter? Head over to Reedsy Discovery and check it out!

https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/imm...

New year, new giveaway!

Sad because you didn’t win last month’s Goodreads Giveaway? I have you covered!

I’m giving away another 100 copies of Immortal Gifts because IT’S ALMOST HERE!!!

Go! Enter!

Year in Review

Yeah, one of those. ����

I queried my novel.
Yeah! I started in January and kept going for half a year. It was an interesting experience, but the next book is not really something they will be interested in. I’ll keep them in mind for my next standalone.I fully edited my novel!
I had a copy edit, two sensitivity reads, and a proofread. (I also had other structural edits, but I did that last year, before I queried.)I formatted my novel!
If you care, check out my formatting posts here and here. I attended Worldcon in Glasgow, read from Immortal Gifts, and caught COVID. Do NOT recommend. Er. Do not recommend COVID. Worldcon was great!I set up my shop, which currently has one product (okay, no, it’s one book in a variety of formats) but that will be changing soon! (Actually, Immortal Gifts is already there but the links are hidden so only I can see them. This is because unlike the retailers, my shop takes your money right now and gives you the book later. I thought people would find this confusing.)Did I mention that I was on the Functional Nerds podcast? (I did! Earlier today!)

So, yeah.

All in all, I feel a lot less “don’t let the door hit ya where the Good Lord split ya” about 2024 than I did about, say 2020 or 2021. I will say that I feel very… I spent my misspent youth in fandom, and this year has felt like being in a fandom of one or two (bless you, Joy–my alpha reader) and I’m ready to be able to squee about things publicly without fear of spoilers. ����

ME on the Functional Nerds podcast!

I’m SUPER EXCITED to be on the Functional Nerds podcast with Patrick Hester and Tracy Townsend. If you don’t know about the Functional Nerds podcast, well, they’re SO MUCH FUN and you should check out their other episodes as well!

Go! Listen!

Acquiring My Work

John Scalzi did it over here, so I’m doing it, too.

I’m an Indie (self-published), so unlike John, where you buy matters in terms of how much money I make.

The absolute best place (for me!) to buy my work is my shop, where I make 92.1% of what you pay for ebooks and audiobooks, and 92.1% of what you pay minus the physical cost of the book for print. Print books are surprisingly expensive, and Indie “print on demand” books are more expensive than traditionally published books printed at scale because offset printing is cheaper (but I don’t want to be on the hook for 5000 copies or whatever, or rent a warehouse to store them).

If you’re not comfortable buying at my shop, pretty much any online vendor will give me 70% of what you pay for ebooks (minus delivery fees for Amazon), which is pretty sweet. (Now you know why Indies love ebooks!) I use Draft2Digital to reach some markets and they take 10% as well, but I’m going direct more places with the upcoming book. (No shade to D2D, I’m happy with them!)

For print, Amazon gives me 60% of the profit (what you pay minus the cost of the book to produce). Other retailers likely give me 54% of the profit (what you pay minus the cost of the book to produce). Physical bookstores give me the least money (because I give them a wholesale discount) but you should absolutely buy from them to encourage them to buy my books. This is a calculated tradeoff of reaching customers who would otherwise not find my books because they only shop local. If your local bookstore doesn’t carry my book, you can request they order it for you (tell them it’s available through Ingram!). By the way, if you really want to support buying local, bookshop.org donates profits to local bookstores.

For audio, well. ACX (Audible and Amazon) pays me 25% of what you paid for the credit. Other places, I generally get between 32% and 50%. I’m not going to begrudge anyone buying my work with the credits you bought a year in advance! please buy my audiobook! but also, if you have a choice, my store is lovely…

Also, buying my books at the retailers makes the retailers think you like me ���� and they might recommend my book to someone else. It’s kind of a double-edged sword for Indies, usually summed up as “bank vs. rank.” I’m encouraging you to consider options that give me better bank, but if you prefer your retailer of choice that will give me rank. In other words, it’s all good!

If you don’t like or approve of one of the places that carries my books, you can order them somewhere else. I actively encourage this!

Can’t afford to buy? I love libraries! In some countries that are not the US I get money when you check out a book. In the US, if lots of people check out my book the library buys more copies, or buys replacement copies when they wear out. Libraries are the best.

Used bookstores: I love used bookstores, but I do not receive money if you buy my book there. If you really want to give me money for the used copy of my book (where did you even find it?) I do have a Ko-Fi tip jar, if you’re so inclined. But either way, I feel like used bookstores are a lovely thing that keeps perfectly good books out of landfills, and presumably I was paid for it by the person who bought it new.

John had a section on Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum. Okay, look, I’m not your mom, okay? If you really can’t afford it, and your library doesn’t carry it, do me a favor and ask your library to carry it. If it’s hard to get in your country and you can afford it, my shop will sell you an ebook that you can read on your phone or tablet, but if it’s too expensive I’m not going to come after you. But my preference is that I get paid. You don’t want to know what I spent. ���� No, really, since I’m an Indie I paid the editors and cover designer and audiobook producer and… yeah, I would love to recoup the money I spent and even make a profit. If you DID Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum and would like to make it up to me because you think my book is worth the money, you can buy a copy and give it to a friend, or your local library (talk to them first, it costs money to process a new book). That would honestly be my first choice.

I would prefer not to debate Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum in the comments. Sorry.

Critics Are Raving!

What are reviewers saying about Immortal Gifts?

This was a strong start to the Immortal Vampires series, it uses the vampire element in a way that worked with the overall storyline being told. The characters were everything that I was looking for and enjoyed how they worked in this world. I enjoyed how good Katherine Villyard���s writing was and was glad I got to read this start. I���m excited for more in this series and from Katherine Villyard.

–Kathryn M on NetGalley

This was such a unique book and genre mash up. Part romance, part horror, part historical fiction, part mystery. A literary vampire story with multiple times lines and POVs that tackle romance, grief, sadness/depression, love, acceptance, religion and even vampire pets. Pacing was a little off but the parts that dragged didn���t last long. This book made me chuckle out loud a few times but is also so much about grief and losing those you love deeply. Such an interesting way of looking at relationships when people are in different religions and how love and respect within those relationships can make it work. Probably one of the weirdest books I���ve read this year but also one I���ll think about for a while.

–Nikki on NetGalley and Goodreads

Immortality has never been introduced in this way. I appreciated the heart, love, humor and tragedy that was swirled within the pages. The lengths one must go to to keep the gift a secret and the moral dilemma when you want to give it away. This stirring novel was all at once witty, gritty and surreal. I will be recommending this read to everyone!

–Tracey S on NetGalley

Omg this is the best book ever epic , you get three main characters telling you what was happening from their point of view, I shed a few tears along the the way and laughed too this has a cast of great animals that could have a book of their own , I couldn���t recommend this book more highly it will stay with you forever I think 5 stars is a paltry amount but that���s all I can give it but a bright shiny 5 stars it���s got from me

–Margaret on Goodreads

Abraham has a gift for music.

Born in the 1800s, he lied about being Jewish to attend the Berlin Academy of Music and secure a patron. But, it also gets him turned into a vampire. When his lie is found out, it puts him in the crosshairs of zealous bigot. His tale spans centuries of him trying to be true to himself, his religion, and coming to terms with death.

At the heart of all of this, the story is one about death and grief. And while these are not unusual themes to be found in a story with vampires in it, I thought it was handled beautifully. Each character handled their grief and pain differently and each had their own thoughts on what it meant to be immortal.

–Rose on Goodreads and Instagram

I do not typically read vampire or fantasy books but I LOVED this book! The main character, Abraham, is a talented violinist, vampire, and Jew. From this book I learned a lot about Jewish traditions, something I did not expect from a vampire book! The story is told from the point of view of several different characters. Personal relationships and love are highlighted throughout the story. This book far exceeded my expectations and was a joy to read!

–Michele on Goodreads

I must admit, at first, each short chapter starting at a different date and in the words of a different character was a little jarring. However I���m glad I persevered because I loved this book and know that you will as well.

–Diane on Goodreads

This was a lot of fun to read. The periods of time that it takes place in keeps it interesting. The characters are at times complicated. Good backstory which is nice to have.

–Timothy on Goodreads

Critics are Raving!

What are reviewers saying about Immortal Gifts?

Editorial Reviews:

One of Villyard���s strengths as a storyteller is her skill in using vampire mythology to explore themes of otherness and persecution. Thomas, for instance, embodies centuries of antisemitic violence, declaring that ���Eternal life is a blessing and a reward���a reward for Christian faith. A gift that Ludwig accidentally cheapened and debased by giving it to the unworthy.��� The theme of exclusion runs throughout the novel, particularly in how Abraham���s vampirism affects his ability to practice his faith���as shown when he explains that ���I couldn���t walk to synagogue in the daylight���I couldn���t participate in religious services any more.��� This physical limitation becomes symbolic of his feelings of exclusion and otherness, reinforcing Villyard���s use of supernatural elements to explore very real historical patterns of religious persecution.

–Edward Sung for IndieReader

Immortal Gifts invites readers to re-evaluate the meanings of things such as life, death, freedom, hate and love from the first page. Katherine Villyard manages to capture some of the most poignant questions we ask ourselves as we go through our individual lives. Is it worth being able to live forever if, in the end, we���ll lose the ones we love to mortality? Is Death really the ultimate enemy to life, or is death just life���s misunderstood old friend? To stop hate, do we need to restrict our freedoms? This book makes readers ask and answer tough questions not only about the characters and plotline, but about their own beliefs, understandings, and dreams.

���Megan Weiss on Reedsy Discovery

In effect, Immortal Gifts defies the usual formulaic writing of the genre to return to the meat of a superior vampire novel: good tension, wry humor, psychologically deep characters, and the allure, promises, and pitfalls of immortality.

���D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

Reader Reviews:

This was a strong start to the Immortal Vampires series, it uses the vampire element in a way that worked with the overall storyline being told. The characters were everything that I was looking for and enjoyed how they worked in this world. I enjoyed how good Katherine Villyard���s writing was and was glad I got to read this start. I���m excited for more in this series and from Katherine Villyard.

���Kathryn M on NetGalley

This was such a unique book and genre mash up. Part romance, part horror, part historical fiction, part mystery. A literary vampire story with multiple times lines and POVs that tackle romance, grief, sadness/depression, love, acceptance, religion and even vampire pets. Pacing was a little off but the parts that dragged didn���t last long. This book made me chuckle out loud a few times but is also so much about grief and losing those you love deeply. Such an interesting way of looking at relationships when people are in different religions and how love and respect within those relationships can make it work. Probably one of the weirdest books I���ve read this year but also one I���ll think about for a while.

���Nikki on Goodreads

Immortality has never been introduced in this way. I appreciated the heart, love, humor and tragedy that was swirled within the pages. The lengths one must go to to keep the gift a secret and the moral dilemma when you want to give it away. This stirring novel was all at once witty, gritty and surreal. I will be recommending this read to everyone!

���Tracey S on NetGalley

Omg this is the best book ever epic , you get three main characters telling you what was happening from their point of view, I shed a few tears along the the way and laughed too this has a cast of great animals that could have a book of their own , I couldn���t recommend this book more highly it will stay with you forever I think 5 stars is a paltry amount but that���s all I can give it but a bright shiny 5 stars it���s got from me

���Margaret on Goodreads

Abraham has a gift for music.

Born in the 1800s, he lied about being Jewish to attend the Berlin Academy of Music and secure a patron. But, it also gets him turned into a vampire. When his lie is found out, it puts him in the crosshairs of zealous bigot. His tale spans centuries of him trying to be true to himself, his religion, and coming to terms with death.

At the heart of all of this, the story is one about death and grief. And while these are not unusual themes to be found in a story with vampires in it, I thought it was handled beautifully. Each character handled their grief and pain differently and each had their own thoughts on what it meant to be immortal.

���Rose on Goodreads and Instagram

I do not typically read vampire or fantasy books but I LOVED this book! The main character, Abraham, is a talented violinist, vampire, and Jew. From this book I learned a lot about Jewish traditions, something I did not expect from a vampire book! The story is told from the point of view of several different characters. Personal relationships and love are highlighted throughout the story. This book far exceeded my expectations and was a joy to read!

���Michele on Goodreads and Bookbub

I must admit, at first, each short chapter starting at a different date and in the words of a different character was a little jarring. However I���m glad I persevered because I loved this book and know that you will as well.

���Diane on Goodreads

This was a lot of fun to read. The periods of time that it takes place in keeps it interesting. The characters are at times complicated. Good backstory which is nice to have.

���Timothy on Goodreads

When I started reading this book, I knew it was a vampire story, but I didn���t expect to find the most original vampire story I���ve ever seen.
The story is told through three characters: Abraham, a Jewish vampire who loves animals; Ludwig, an asexual vampire friend; and Destiny, Abraham���s wife, a human, vegetarian, and veterinarian. We follow their lives in the past and present.
I loved the story and especially the pets that participate in it. 🐱 🐶

–Junia on NetGalley and Instagram

So, hey Katherine, how’d you lay out these books?

So hey, those are some good-looking books! who did your interior layout?

That’d be me. ����

Large Print: Atticus. Straight-up Atticus. Flawless, no notes.

Ebook: Atticus, but I really wanted to add more space between my centered “attributions” at the top of the chapter and couldn’t figure out how to make it do it, so I edited the Atticus ebook in Sigil to add a blank line after each attribution. When my map came in, rather than do it again I used Sigil to add the map as well. I did websites for pay between 1995 and 2002 and the level of HTML and CSS in an epub is much simpler than that.

Paperback and Hardcover: Scribus. I know! I had Atticus right there, and it’s so much easier, but I control each individual line with Scribus. The downside being that I control each individual line with Scribus. ���� That said, the only real difference between hardcover and paperback interior is the ISBN. I already had a template and a flow from my previous book and had customized it in advance. I also had to google how to do full bleed for my map. ���� But I really wanted that extra space between my attribution header and my paragraph.

What do I recommend you use?

If you’re not a highly-technical control freak like me, to be honest I would likely use Atticus or Vellum. Especially if you’re easily frustrated by computers. But if you valorize and fondly recall your feats of geekery, you might enjoy the time you spend laying your book out in Scribus. I really like the way my Scribus layout looks. Also, if you are dirt-broke and feel like you can’t afford Atticus or Vellum, Scribus may be your pal. I think Atticus is cheap, but I have a day job in IT. Lots of people use InDesign but I think it’s too expensive for me and how often I use it.

All three books are cat-approved, so clearly I made the right choices. ����

Immortal Gifts releases February 4, 2025. Preorder at https://books2read.com/immortalgifts.